Club sends KV Ostend away 4-2

Club Brugge hosted the game against KV Ostend. Taking a 2-0 lead after goals by Vanaken and Jutglà, it seemed smooth sailing for Club, but two Hornby strikes put the score in balance. Club managed to clinch the deal anyway, however, courtesy of a Nielsen spot kick, and a Katelaris own-goal.

Not one to alway stick to the same line-up, Carl Hoefkens opted for a 4-3-3 against KVO, lining up Tajon Buchanan at right back, joining Boyata and Meijer in defense, both also new to the team. Up front Jutglà was again paired up with Sowah and Nusa, meaning there was no place for Odoi, Lang, the suspended Sylla and the injured Skov Olsen. It took some time for the hosts to wriggle their way into this new set-up, with real danger only after ten minutes as Vanaken curved a cross over the KVO defense, seeing Nusa fall just short of tapping in the ball from close range.

A bit later, Nielsen had a great chance on opening the score, but he was too surprised to see Jutglá's shot get deviated towards him. That was it for some time, with Club putting too much sloppiness in its game, and a rigid Ostend organisation keeping Club at bay. Two blocked shots by Meijer and Vanaken was all that was in it, and a Sowah shot soared high over target.

With ten minutes on the clock in the first half, the game finally opened up. Vanaken teed up with Sowah through the heart of defense, tapping in the opener of the night. Those thinking the visitors would be taken aback were wrong, and it took a fine Mignolet to deny Hornby's header. A hefty warning for Club, reacting swiftly on the other side of the pitch, making the most of Capon's ill-cleared header towards Jutglà, hammering in the 2-0. Blue and Black now fired from all cylinders, but forgot to finish KVO off before the break: Jutglà's header went just wide, and after a fine cross by Nielsen, Onyedika aimed the ball above the crossbar from close range.

Straight out of the dressing rooms, Club created another fine opportunity, as Vanaken made his way through the hosts' centre, but his shot grazed against the (wrong) side of the post. An even better chance came minutes later: a foul on Nusa resulted in a spot kick, and with Vanaken and Lang's penalty misses against Porto in mind, this was not exactly a guarantee on goal. This time Jutglà tried his luck, but he fired his attempt within goalkeeper Phillips' reach. Moments later, Nielsen made his way neatly to the back line, but his final pass towards Vanaken went missing.

Club unable to make the most of its chances, the visitors decided it was their time to shine, but not without luck. A first error came as Boyata tried to reach Onyedika in the centre but passed the ball straight in the path of Fraser Hornby, gladly unwrapping the gift and scoring the tying goal. To make matters worse, Boyata's unfortunate challenge a bit later resulted in a penalty kick for the visitors, greedily shot in by again Hornby: 2-2, and all to play for.

Carl Hoefkens reacted by bringing on Noa Lang, and the Dutchman proved industrious from the start, setting up the 3-2. His through-ball was handled by Tanghe, and Club was awarded another penalty. This time, Casper Nielsen took up the gauntlet, but also saw his penalty saved. Unfortunately for the visiting goalie, the ball was not cleared well enough, and came to Nielsen, happily firing in the rebound ball. The result was put beyond doubt with ten minutes on the clock; Lang deviated a Sowah cross towards goal, where an unfortunate touch to the ball by Katelaris made sure the game went Club's way: 4-2. A win for Club, keeping the gap with leaders Genk unscathed.

Jupiler Pro League – Match Day 15
Audience: 26,000 – Jan Breydel Stadium
Ref: Brent Staessens
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Tajon Buchanan (85’ Denis Odoi), Dedryck Boyata, Brandon Mechele, Bjorn Meijer – Casper Nielsen (85’ Éder Balanta), Raphael Onyedika, Hans Vanaken (85’ Lynnt Audoor) – Antonio Nusa (67’ Noa Lang), Kamal Sowah, Ferran Jutglà (77’ Cyle Larin). Bench: Senne Lammens, Eduard Sobol and Cisse Sandra. Coach: Carl Hoefkens.
KV Ostend: Dillon Phillips – Fanos Kastelaris, Anton Tanghe, Brecht Capon - Siebe Wylin (46’ Alessandro Albanese), Manuel Osifo (61’ Kenny Rocha), Cameron McGeehan, Indy Boonen (78’ Robbie D’Haese), Tutsuhiro Sakamoto – Fraser Hornby, David Atanga (78’ Nick Bätzner). Coach: Yves Vanderhaeghe.
Yellow: Katelaris, Nielsen, Buchanan, Albanese.
Red: none
Goals: 34’ Vanaken (1-0), 39’ Jutglà (2-0), 58’ Hornby (2-1), 65’ Hornby (penalty, 2-2), 73’ Nielsen (3-2), 80’ Katelaris (own-goal, 4-2).